1 of 2 | John (John Speredakos) invented The Crumb Catcher. Photo courtesy of Glass Eye Pix and Gigantic Pictures
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) — Crumb Catcher, which premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, starts as a cringe comedy and gradually transforms into an intense thriller, maintaining its relentlessness throughout.
Leah (Ella Rae Peck) and Shane (Rigo Garay) spend the day following their wedding at Leah’s editor’s opulent and secluded house. John (John Speredakos), a hotel caterer, surprises them with a portion of their wedding cake for sentimental value.
John fails to take the hint that he is not welcome and persistently pressures the newlyweds to listen to his business proposal. Accompanied by his wife, Rose (Lorraine Ferris), he introduces them to The Crumb Catcher.
From the very beginning, Leah and Shane’s marriage appears far from harmonious. Even the story of how they met is fraught with hostility.
Leah, a publisher, has encouraged Shane to write an autobiography. However, Shane is now having doubts about publishing it.
Despite their obvious hesitance, John lacks the social skills to read the cues and continues to linger around, engaging in small talk. The situation is all too familiar, where subtle hints are ineffective, and direct requests to leave are equally unsuccessful.
In a misguided attempt to appease John, Shane believes enduring the presentation will suffice, but it proves to be never-ending. The invention itself is a ridiculously cumbersome device designed to help diners clean up their own crumbs, ensuring uninterrupted dinner conversations without the interference of waitstaff.
The film takes on a tragicomic tone as it becomes clear that John’s hope for prosperity through his unnecessary invention is delusional. However, it soon becomes apparent that John and Rose harbor more sinister intentions.
As these hapless characters attempt to be master criminals, their increasing desperation becomes dangerous and even more frustrating, mirroring the ineptitude of The Crumb Catcher itself.
Despite its modest premise, Crumb Catcher manages to generate uncomfortable comedy and intense suspense within the confines of a single location with just four characters.
Leah and Shane’s relationship was already strained prior to this crisis, as their resentments and other wedding-related slights come to light throughout the night.
Regarding the book, Shane believes it to be his story, granting him the authority to retract it despite any contractual obligations. However, Leah’s involvement in getting it published means it is no longer solely his decision.
Even if the couple were perfect, John and Rose would still be insufferable.
Crumb Catcher is a film that resonates with anyone who has encountered individuals they just can’t seem to shake off. Even if viewers have been fortunate enough to avoid such experiences, the relatability of the situation evokes sympathy.
Fred Topel, an entertainment writer for UPI based in Los Angeles, attended film school at Ithaca College. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012 and the Critics Choice Association since 2023. For more of his work in Entertainment, read here.
